Yes, teach ‘comply, then complain’

Published 12:00 am, Saturday, October 15, 2016

Teaching youngsters in a classroom how to interact with police can help determine the outcomes of real interactions on the street.

According to a recent Texas Tribune article, that’s the premise behind a proposal by Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and other legislators to craft ways Texas schools can help in this regard. It’s a worthy effort.

Schools can teach “comply, then complain.” They can also, however, teach the basic rights that anyone stopped by police should enjoy. In other words, what constitutes illegality on the part of officers. But the first step indeed has to be that “comply, then complain” strategy.

Whitmire envisions both. Spurring this is a genuine crisis in community/police relations.

Most of the debate has focused on how police can improve training and address implicit biases that might be at work. But the flip side is that the public also can be educated. The Department of Public Safety, the Texas Tribune additionally reports, is considering new language in its guidelines for stopped drivers.

Whitmire said ninth grade is a good time to start teaching students about police interactions. Driver’s licenses could soon be in their futures.

Yes, Texans should put themselves in officers’ shoes during a stop. But police should also put themselves in the public’s shoes. Anxiety, anger and fear because of some high profile shootings can be pronounced.

But “comply, then complain” will generally be the best course. Teach it in the schools.